Rupert Murdoch's new standalone publishing group will be called News Corporation, retaining the title and heritage of the global newspaper business established more than 30 years ago.

Murdoch confirmed on Monday that his newspapers – including the London-based Times, Sunday Times and Sun; the Wall Street Journal and New York Post; the Australian and other News Ltd titles – would continue to be published under the News Corp name, with the film and TV businesses to form a separate company named Fox Group.

He told staff in an email designed to rally News Corp employees behind the split of his media empire: "Change always breeds uncertainty, but let me be very clear about one thing that is certain: We aren't finished achieving what others deem impossible. Not even close."

Murdoch, who began his newspaper business in Adelaide in 1952, establishing News Corp in 1979 as his global media holding company after expansion into the UK and US, will become chairman of the publishing and entertainment groups.

He will also be chief executive of Fox Group, with News Corp chief operating officer Chase Carey and deputy chief operating officer James Murdoch taking the same roles in the entertainment business.

"While we will face challenges at both companies going forward, together, we have already achieved the seemingly impossible. Now imagine what we can accomplish with the focus, flexibility and collaboration that two independent entities will make possible.

"Change always breeds uncertainty, but let me be very clear about one thing that is certain: We aren't finished achieving what others deem impossible. Not even close. It is an honour and a pleasure to work alongside you. The work you do every day never fails to amaze and inspire me.

"And the best news of all ... We're just getting started."

Murdoch added that Thomson and three other executives have been appointed to the spun-off News Corp as it hopes to "bridge the triumphs of our past with the opportunities of tomorrow".

Bedi Ajay Singh will become chief financial officer, Paul Cheesbrough will be chief technology officer, and Keisha Smith will be director of human resources.

No mention was made of Will Lewis, the former Daily Telegraph editor who now sits on the company's controversial management and standards committee, although he is tipped to join his former FT colleague Thomson in New York, possibly in a chief operating officer role at the stand along publishing business.

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